Written by Kenny Biddle - Founder of The Paranormal Investigators & Research Association
Recently I came over a short, but very good article on the use of the Non-Contact Infrared Thermometers, A.K.A. Thermal Scanners. The articles detailed a few experiments the group had done in order to test the effectiveness of the devices during investigations. I decided to try my own experiments to verify the claims made in the article I read.
First things first, let's go over how the device works. An infrared thermometer is a sensor that measures an object's temperature without physically touching it. Noncontact infrared (IR) thermometers use infrared technology to quickly and conveniently measure the surface temperature. They provide fast temperature readings of hot, hazardous, or hard-to-reach surfaces without contaminating or damaging the object. Infrared thermometers can provide several readings per second, as compared to contact methods where each measurement can take several minutes.
When the trigger is pulled, the unit sends out an infrared beam (in a cone shape). The beam hits a solid object and rebounds back to the gun. Infrared thermometers capture the invisible infrared energy naturally emitted from all objects warmer than absolute zero (0 degrees Kelvin). Infrared radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum which includes radio waves, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet, gamma, and X-rays. Any object emits energy somewhere within that range. Infrared falls between the visible light of the spectrum and radio waves. Infrared wavelengths are usually expressed in microns with the infrared spectrum extending from 0.7 microns to 1000 microns. In practice, the 0.7 to 14 micron band is used for IR temperature measurement.
Now, the big question that always comes up is; Will infrared sensors measure air? According to the RayTek website, the answer is No. They explain that an infrared thermometer needs a surface to measure. In fact, Raytek says that their sensors are specifically designed so that the air between the sensor and target does not affect the measurement.
Distance does not affect the measurement. However, infrared sensors measure the energy from a circular spot on a target, and the size of that spot is a function of the distance between the sensor and target. Simply put, the farther away from a target the sensor is, the larger the spot the thermometer will measure. Consequently, distance is only limited by the size of the object you want to measure.
Ok, now that we know a little bit about how these devices work, let's take look at what I did for my experiments. The device I use is the RayTek Raynger ST2, Model Number RAIST2PHCU. The unit is powered by one (1) nine volt battery.
Experiment #1- The Freezer. This was a simple test in which I took a measurement of the wall approximately 4 feet away, then opened the freezer door and took another measurement at the same spot on the wall, from the same distance. The thermal gun was positioned under the freezer door about 8 inches (cold air drops, warm air rises), so as to not take a reading of the door itself. The device itself was attached to a tripod with a bungee cord holding the trigger in (for constant readings). The freezer temperature itself was measured at 8 degrees. Here are the readings;
First Attempt- Wall was 60 degrees. When the door was opened, the temperature showed a quick 4 degree drop to 56, before returning to 60.
Second Attempt- Wall again measured 60 degrees. The freezer door was opened and this time there was NO difference in temperature noted.
Final Attempt- Wall registered 61 degrees. When freezer door was opened, a two degree difference (59) was registered.
Experiment #2- The Stove Top. For this experiment, I positioned the thermal gun about 12 inches above the gas range and pointed at the wall about 30 inches away. I held the unit in my hand and held the trigger in while I turned one of the burners on.
First Attempt- Wall Registered a nice 73 degrees. When the burner was activated, there was a jump in temperature to 91 degrees. The temperature then began to fluctuate between 80 and 93. Turning the burner off, the wall had again registered 73 degrees.
Second Attempt- Wall registered 73, and again I had a jump in temperature...this time to 98, before immediately fluctuating again between 80 and 95 degrees. After turning the burner off, the wall registered 74 degrees.
Final Attempt- The final attempt worked out the same as Attempt #2, the only difference being that th wall temperature began at 74 degrees.
Ok, so what's this tell us? Even though the company who produces the device says it will NOT measure air temperature because the "sensors are specifically designed so that the air between the sensor and target does not affect the measurement", it seems that these devices actually do. Now, when dealing with our investigations of paranormal activity, we have to ask ourselves this question....Are we measuring air or a solid form when we get those famous cold spots?
This experiment merely shows that severe temperature differences actually CAN have an effect on our readings with these devices. Although some were slight differences, they were differences non the less and must be factored in to our investigations on two fronts. First, we'll have to look harder and closer at areas where cold spots or heat spikes take place to rule out any type of draft, heater, A/C unit, etc. that could very well be the cause of the temperature difference.
The second "front" would be when we rule out every possible natural explanation. Then we have to ask...what is it that the IR guns are measuring? Is the entity producing a form of energy that has the reflective quality of a solid object? It must, since some temperature drops our group has encountered have been over 30 degrees! We also know that Infrared radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which we also try to measure with EMF meters and Trifield Meters. Perhaps the IR radiation is a byproduct of the ghost's manifestation (Feeling the cold spot, hearing the EVP, Seeing the apparition). If the ghost's presence in an area cause it to emit IR radiation (like when your body emits heat into the area your sitting in), then it seems logical to assume that the IR temp gun would pick up that radiation and translate it into a measurement.
I welcome any comments, questions and insights you may have regarding this article.
You can contact me at
KennyB@Parainvestigator.org